Walnuts for Cardiovascular Health
Trial Summary
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are taking medications or supplements that affect metabolism or gut bacteria, like Metformin, statins, or antibiotics, you may need to stop them to participate in this trial. The protocol does not specify a washout period, but these medications are part of the exclusion criteria.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 'Walnuts for Cardiovascular Health'?
Is walnut consumption safe for humans?
How does the walnut treatment for cardiovascular health differ from other treatments?
The walnut treatment is unique because it involves consuming walnuts, which are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, to improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. Unlike traditional medications, this approach uses a natural food source to target multiple cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously.56789
What is the purpose of this trial?
The purpose of this research is to test if eating walnuts will cause any changes in blood lipids (like good and bad cholesterol, for example) and levels of inflammation in the blood, as well as changes in the bacteria living in the gut.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for overweight and obese men and postmenopausal women aged between 45-70, with a BMI of 25.0-39.9 kg/m2 and higher levels of 'bad' cholesterol (LDL-C between 130-189 mg/dL).Inclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Run-in
Participants undergo a 1-week run-in period to become accustomed to the study diet
Diet Intervention 1
Participants follow either a walnut or no-nut diet for 3 weeks
Washout
Participants undergo a 3-week washout period between diet interventions
Diet Intervention 2
Participants switch to the alternate diet (walnut or no-nut) for 3 weeks
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in cardiometabolic biomarkers and gut microbiota
Treatment Details
Interventions
- No-nut diet
- Walnuts
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Davis
Lead Sponsor